OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) has awarded more than $160,000 in grants to 33 educational and community programmes aimed at strengthening science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning across the state.
Approved at the OSIDA Board meeting on 8 October 2025, the one-off funding is designed to equip Oklahoma’s young people with the skills and inspiration needed to support the state’s expanding space workforce.
“This investment from the OSIDA Board will directly fuel Oklahoma’s future space industry,” said OSIDA Chief Executive Officer Grayson Ardies. “This is more than just a pipeline for talent, though; it’s designed to ignite a lasting interest that will empower Oklahoma’s future explorers and innovators to continue thriving.”
The initiative, part of OSIDA’s broader commitment to workforce development, provides targeted financial support for public and private schools, universities, civic organisations and youth clubs. While the current grants represent a single round of funding, the authority said the programme could continue in future if additional resources are secured.
Regional Investment in STEM
The grants will be distributed across the state’s four main regions, funding projects that range from 3D printing and robotics to rocketry and planetary science.
In north-west Oklahoma, STARBASE Weatherford will receive $6,929 to support its use of 3D printing in space exploration.
In the south-west, several local schools and organisations will benefit, including Altus Public Schools ($4,000) for its Bulldog Space Explorers after-school club, Burns Flat-Dill City Public Schools ($7,800) for a district-wide space education initiative, and Duncan Machine Parts ($6,000) for its Precision to Space: Orbit Oklahoma project aimed at secondary students. Additional grants include Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator (FISTA) ($6,900) for youth robotics, Lawton Public Schools ($4,000) for Mission Makerspace, and Southwestern Oklahoma State University ($6,000) for its participation in the NASA Human Rover Challenge.
Central and University Engagement
In the central region, a number of educational and civic bodies have also secured funding. Gerrity 215 Chapter Air Force Association received $10,500 for its StellarXplorers – CyberPatriots STEM programme, while Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma was awarded $4,500 for its Space Exploration with Girl Scouts initiative.
Langston University will use a $6,500 grant to launch its first collegiate Rocketry and Space Education programme. Two separate Oklahoma State University-led projects were also supported: Dr Andy Arena’s STELLAR teacher-training scheme received $8,000, while Dr Jovette Dew was awarded $3,500 for work with K–12 STEM students.
Other central Oklahoma recipients include Putnam City Schools ($2,200) for a student mentorship programme, Rose State College ($4,000) for The Galaxy Quest: Summer Space Track, Stillwater Public Schools ($10,000) for its Space and Flight programme, and the University of Oklahoma Sooner Rover Team ($6,850) to support students competing in the 2026 University Rover Challenge.
Expanding Opportunities in the North-East and South-East
Schools and organisations in north-east Oklahoma will also receive a share of the funding. Bixby Public Schools secured $6,500 for its Spartan Space Initiative, while Fort Gibson Vision Academy obtained $850 for its Opportunities for Space programme, serving alternative education students. Hilldale Elementary, part of Hilldale Public Schools, gained $2,500 for a model rocketry project, and Oklahoma Union Middle School was awarded $4,400 for Flight Path to the Future: Connecting Weather, Space & Innovation.
Further awards went to Perry High School ($1,330) and Perry Upper Elementary ($575), Rejoice Christian School ($3,800), and the Tulsa Air and Space Museum ($6,000) for a one-day event titled Spaceport Tulsa: Mission to Tomorrow.
In the south-east, funding recipients include Ada City Schools ($4,003) for Beyond the Stars, Durant Public Schools ($3,400) for its Flyin’ Lion STEM Outreach Programme, and Holdenville Public Schools ($5,000) for Ready, Set, Launch. Additional awards were granted to Quinton Elementary ($2,500), Valliant Elementary ($5,000) and Wister Public Schools ($1,735).
Supporting Statewide Aerospace Ambitions
In addition to regional grants, a $10,000 allocation will go to the Oklahoma AFA Chapter to support the annual StellarXplorers – CyberPatriots awards banquet and statewide student camps.
“We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to support the growth of space education through the implementation of the OSIDA Space Education Grant Program,” said Paula Kedy, Statewide Manager of Aerospace STEM Education. “Schools across Oklahoma are working to foster the knowledge of space through programs that encourage curiosity and high-level thinking skills. By supporting these schools, we are ensuring that Oklahoma students will play an integral role in the growth of space exploration.”
The initiative underscores Oklahoma’s wider ambitions to position itself as a hub for aerospace innovation and workforce readiness — a strategy aimed at ensuring the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers is equipped to play an active role in the global space economy.
